How do You Celebrate Your Birthday?

[LiebeUndLicht]

I don't really know of this question falls under the category of "General Questions about Wicca & Magick" but I don't really know where else to put it so... I was just wondering how you guys celebrate your birthday, like if you do any rituals or anything?

Basically, it's my 14th birthday tomorrow, and last year for my 13th, I went to all these spiritual shops and just bought candles and incense and supplies, so basically a normal birthday.

I am aware that some people have actual rituals that they perform on your birthday, and I think I might be interested in doing this, but I'm not sure how to go about it... Also, I have friends coming around from 3pm-9pm and we're going to watch movies... Anyway, I'm just interested, how do you celebrate your birthday?

[Floyd Pinkerton]

I'd never heard of any birthday rituals or anything. For my birthday I pretty much just go out to eat with my parents and fiance and that's about it.

[Siona]

Well, my birthday falls on Imbolc, so some of the Imbolc things might overlap a bit with possible birthday symbolism, like self-purification and reflection on the past year, but I don't really do anything specifically for my birthday. If it were on another day it'd probably just be the usual sorts of birthday things.

[Xiao Rong]

Apart from the usual cake, birthday song, and blowing out candles, in my (Chinese-American) family, we always make sure to eat noodles for dinner in celebration of the birthday person, since they represent long life. They have to be long noodles, and you have to slurp them (if you cut them, then it defeats the purpose!). My family has their own special longevity noodles recipe, but since they're all terrible cooks and the birthday noodles recipe is actually not that great (sorry, Mom and Dad!), I usually just make some kind of spaghetti dish when I'm not with them, or even just cook a few strands of spaghetti. It's also sometimes customary to eat eggs for birthdays, since they represent new beginnings and good fortune, but I observe that tradition less.

[Sakura Blossom]

I've also never really heard of anyone doing anything magick related for their birthday, but that's not to say you can't. (: I personally don't do anything, but I can see why someone would want to. Another year that you've made it, I guess? Haha. And another year stronger, so to honor your deities for helping you for another year, would make sense I suppose. I might honestly start trying something like that... (:

If you wanted to try doing something for your birthday, maybe something like what I said above could be nice? Invite them to join in on your celebrations, maybe light candles and make offerings as thank yous for all the help they've given you over that year as well as helping you grow into the person you're becoming?

Just a thought. (:

[Floyd Pinkerton]

Could you do a rebirthing ritual (since, y'know, birthday) or should that be reserved for just Ostara?

[Siona]

Could you do a rebirthing ritual (since, y'know, birthday) or should that be reserved for just Ostara?

It's really up to you. Such rituals aren't limited to (or mandatory for) Ostara, so if you felt like it was something you wanted to do on your birthday, or at some other time of the year, it's really up to you, and what makes sense and works for you.

[Seraphin]

Apart from the usual cake, birthday song, and blowing out candles, in my (Chinese-American) family, we always make sure to eat noodles for dinner in celebration of the birthday person, since they represent long life. They have to be long noodles, and you have to slurp them (if you cut them, then it defeats the purpose!).

This is an Eastern folk belief or Indo-Chinese I guess since we also have a custom like that here in the Philippines. I often spoil a birthday party when I remind those people who are preparing the foods not to cut their noodles before eating or serving. Noodles, whether angel's hair or spaghetti pasta, are served because like Xiao said the long uncut noodles signify and are a wish for 'long life'.

Also, I'm probably obsessive compulsive , but I believe you shouldn't cut into the celebrant's name, if there is, on his/her birthday cake; rather this slice or part should be separated and given to the celebrant.

Anyway, this year I prefer to celebrate my birthday alone. No birthday cake and candles, no huge birthday bashes, no singing, and no any other racket to wake the whole neighborhood. If you wish to read my birthday story this year, then proceed to my blog;

My Birthday, Me- Day

But anyway, happy birthday to you Liebe. I hope your day was full of celebration!

[LiebeUndLicht]

Thank-you everyone, I appreciate your answers, I did have a good birthday thanks

[cloverfox]

I usually work on my birthday, last year I worked two jobs and it absolutely sucked, lol. If I can I'll go out to dinner with my boyfriend though. That's about it. My birthday isn't a big deal to me.

[Echo_of_shadows]

I've got a post in my online Book of Shadows that includes the only two witchy birthday rituals I know of. I found another ritual recently, but I think my hard drive ate it.

Two of my birthday traditions are to have specific foods: pizza and Hostess Sno Ball cupcakes. The pizza has only been a tradition for a couple years. The Sno balls have been a tradition for as long as I can remember.
My other tradition is to have the Christmas tree up. My birthday is December 6, so the tree isn't unusual. Mom even had a tree up and waiting for me the year I was born.

[cloverfox]

Looks like I'll be working two jobs again this year for my birthday. It's all right, I will still have time in the morning for myself, I'll go get a special breakfast and my annual cupcake!

[shatteredsouls]

My birthday's coming in a month time, I plan to spend it overseas. Hopefully with new friends but since I'll be overseas only for a while then, I'll most likely be alone. Hahaha!

[LiebeUndLicht]

Looks like I'll be working two jobs again this year for my birthday. It's all right, I will still have time in the morning for myself, I'll go get a special breakfast and my annual cupcake!

Oh yeah, annual cupcake! But seriously, are you trying to make me hungry?

[cloverfox]

Lol, sorry! It really is a delicious cupcake. It's from this bakery I've been going to for years and it's called a marble cupcake. It's chocolate with cheesecake in the middle and a chocolate candy on top!

But also, I have another change of plans for my birthday this year. I'm having people over after work! I'm going to have board games, make pizza and other finger foods, drinks and such. I'm pretty excited because I love to entertain mostly and it should be fun.